Marion Francis Martin, the son of Francis Winfield and Mary Leona (Davis) Martin, was born on August 31, 1930, in Persia, Iowa. He graduated from Persia High School in 1950, and worked at the Avoca (Iowa) Creamery until he entered the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On October 22, 1950, Marion and Lotus Lavonne Meier were married at the Presbyterian Church in Avoca.

Following his discharge, he worked at Findley’s Gravel Pit in Harlan, Iowa, for seven years. Marion then became an electrician, and worked for Anastasi Plumbing and Heating. In 1971, he opened Martin Electric and ran the business until 2015.

Marion was a member of the Harlan VFW Post #941. He enjoyed woodworking and making quilts. He and Lotus liked to work in the yard together, planting flowers. The couple also enjoyed baking, and Marion often helped Lotus in the family ceramic shop.

Marion F. Martin died on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He had reached the age of 86 years, 5 months, and 11 days.

Marion was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Micheal Martin; one sister, Minnie Marco; and one brother, Merril Martin. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lotus Martin of Earling, Iowa; one son, Rick (Roxanne) Martin of Harlan, Iowa; three brothers, Marvin Martin, Merlyn (Ruby) Martin, and Melvin (Kathy) Martin, all of Harlan, Iowa; one sister, Mary Lou (Donald) Andersen of Harlan, Iowa; one daughter-in-law, Karla Martin of Harlan, Iowa; five grandchildren, Maxwell Martin of Walnut, Iowa, Carl Martin, Bobbie Jo Cruise, and Brian Martin, all of Harlan, Iowa, and Becky Martin of Avoca, Iowa; seven great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

A memorial service was held on Friday, February 24, 2017, at the Little Flower Haven Chapel in Earling, Iowa, with Pastor Phil Nielsen of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Harlan, Iowa, officiating. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.